Drug Policy

Segami

(14,923 posts) Wed May 14, 2014, 01:14 PM May 2014

LEGALIZED MARIJUANA In Colorado And Washington Is Doing MASSIVE DAMAGE To The Drug Cartels

Recent polls now say that the majority of Americans now support the legalization of marijuana. Still there are some whom aren’t convinced. Some on what the majority views as a misguided morality platitude and others usually with the viewpoint rooted in some mythical fear or old wives tale. One thing that most people can agree on, however, is that if the ultra violent Mexican cartels could be destroyed, or at least significantly weakened, we would all benefit. Early evidence suggests that legalization in Colorado and Washington State, even in its infancy, is doing just that. Keep in mind, that previous to legalization, the US was estimated to produce about 10 million pounds. Meanwhile, Mexico imported about 40 million pounds into over 1,000 US cities. But now, even with just 2 states legalizing weed and allowing for American domestic production, regulated for safety and quality, farmers and cartels are seeing their wholesale prices slashed by as much as 75 percent. Some are saying this could simply drive them out of the pot business for good.

One farmer is quoted as saying: “It’s not worth it anymore. I wish the Americans would stop with this legalization.” Former DEA senior intelligence specialist Sean Dunagan told VICE News that, although it’s too early to verify the numbers: “Anything to establish a regulated legal market will necessarily cut into those profits. And it won’t be a viable business for the Mexican cartels — the same way bootleggers disappeared after prohibition fell.” Some might think that the DEA might welcome the hurt on their long time foes. But in real time, some are suggesting that the relationship DEA persons have with the cartels, particularly the large ones like the Sinaloa Cartel, made famous in the “Fast and Furious” (sort of) scandal from years back. Vice News in their reporting even suggests that it “almost” seems like the DEA is more protective of their cartel buddies than they are interested in any sort of justice here in America. They tell of how the agency will lose perks, budgets and other niceties if people are allowed their freedom.

So what does legalization mean for Americans? It means a weakened Mexican crime syndicate more vulnerable to prosecution and total collapse. It means American jobs. It means the exposure of corruption inside an agency that has long been too big for its britches. This all in addition to so many other things people can benefit from, including the seniors and students that tax revenues assist. Including new sources of raw materials and fuel that have already been proven to be more efficient and more renewable than any rival. Revenues and innovations this nation can certainly put to good use.

cont'

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/05/14/legalized-marijuana-in-colorado-and-washington-is-doing-massive-damage-to-the-drug-cartels/

7 replies

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Highlight:

LEGALIZED MARIJUANA In Colorado And Washington Is Doing MASSIVE DAMAGE To The Drug Cartels (Original Post) Segami May 2014 OP

I wonder how much of a hit the alcohol industry is going to take. Fred Sanders May 2014 #1

Here in California, there has been a huge blowback to "success" truedelphi May 2014 #2

in my area Styx Jun 2014 #4

thanks for posting here! n/t RainDog May 2014 #3

Walter Jones in NC has actually approached this issue from the "medical" angle. littlemissmartypants Jul 2014 #5

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #6

Yahooo!! theexwife Jul 2014 #7

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)

1. I wonder how much of a hit the alcohol industry is going to take.

Reply to Segami (Original post)

Wed May 14, 2014, 01:36 PM

May 2014

truedelphi

(32,324 posts)

2. Here in California, there has been a huge blowback to "success"

Reply to Segami (Original post)

Wed May 14, 2014, 01:43 PM

May 2014

Yes, We the Voters kicked butt and passed Prop 215, way back in the 1990's. This enabled us to get a piece of state legislation that legalized medical marijuana to become state law

But the legislation, HB 420, allowed for planning commissions to trump the will of the people. This is actually in clear violation of the State of California's Constitution. But then, who in our legislative bodies ever pays attention to a Constitution?

Then since so many inside the Federal government seem to be propped up by cartel monies, Holder went forth with a reign of terror upon both dispensaries and also normal everyday people.

The result: in many areas, a dispensary is forced to serve a population of 250,000 people!

Over 9,000 high paying jobs have been lost, with the result that people are now on Welfare, or Food Stamps. And in my neck of the woods, the unemployment rate is 18%, so it is not like if you lose your job at a dispensary, you find other work.

Mendocino and Humboldt and also Sonoma County have passed sensible ordinances. However in Sonoma, (I think) you are required to grow indoors, which makes it harder to have decent stuff.

Rolling Stone articles indicate that the thing for people to hope for is that large concerns come into areas, as Rolling Stone points out, only large corporations will be able to figure out and abide by all the local, state and federal ordinances. (Right now, of course, on the Fed level, pot is illegal, but sooner or later that will change, and we can probably expect a 2,000 page book of rules that will be enacted.) This whole "bigger is better" attitude makes me ill.

From what I am hearing from activists in Colorado, there are already big fights between the police, and the dispensaries. The police go around and make dispensaries hide their "Open?Closed" for business signs, or even make the dispensary managers say the place is closed when in fact it is open.